Samsung Galaxy S25 review

If there’s one feature that has defined modern smartphones, it’s artificial intelligence. We mention this because it plays a hugely important role on the Samsung Galaxy S25, but what does it mean for you?
In our Galaxy S25 review, we’ll answer that question and take a deep dive into what this phone offers, from its performance improvements to advancements in Galaxy AI.
If you’re interested in picking up the Samsung Galaxy S25 , order from a range of colours including Navy, Icy Blue, Mint and Silver Shadow.
Specifications
• Dimensions – 70.5 x 146.9 x 7.22mm
• Weight – 162g
• OS – Android 15
• Display – Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• Resolution – 2340 x 1080
• Processor – Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
• RAM – 12GB
• Storage – 128/256/512GB
• Rear cameras – 12MP ultra-wide; 50MP wide; 10MP telephoto
• Battery – 4,000mAh
• Water and dust resistance – IP68
• Connectivity – Wi-Fi 7; Bluetooth 5.3; 5G
Release date
The Samsung Galaxy S25 released on the 7th February 2025.
Reasons to buy
• Great entry-level option for the S25 range
• Improved AI functionality
• Faster processor
Things to consider
• The Plus and Ultra models have larger screens
• Camera array on the Ultra model is more suitable for advanced photographers
• The Plus and Ultra have larger battery capacities
Design
If you were a fan of the Galaxy S24’s design, you’ll be happy to hear that Samsung very much stuck to that framework. This is a theme that runs through the Galaxy S25 when talking about its core design; maintaining what works well and saving the bigger improvements for under the hood.
The sharp look of the S24 makes a return, including the rounded corners and flat edges that really help the screen stand out. Whilst some might prefer a phone with curved edges and a screen that wraps around the sides, the Galaxy S25 perfects the middle ground that has defined the majority of S20-series devices, neither overly sleek or excessively rectangular.
Protecting the Galaxy S25 against bumps and knocks is an Armour Aluminium frame, which does its job brilliantly while keeping the phone’s weight down. For the screen, Samsung stuck with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and the results are still exceptional, enabling the Galaxy S25 to withstand a tumble and come out with barely a scratch.
The final piece of the S25’s design puzzle is its IP68 water and dust resistance. Again, this feature is nothing new, but there’s no need to rock the boat when Samsung’s previous handsets excelled so well on the design front.
Display
Moving on to the Galaxy S25’s 6.2” display, you’re getting the same beautiful AMOLED screen that impressed us on the S24. With its HD resolution and dynamic refresh rate of up to 120Hz, this display is a dream for gamers and film buffs. Colours pop, detail is crystal-clear, and the visual experience is consistently smooth thanks to that dynamic refresh rate.
We touched on the subject of artificial intelligence at the start of this review, and it plays a significant role on the display side of things. This is best exemplified by the AI ProScaler feature, which improves the look of images and videos. You don’t need to lift a finger to benefit from AI ProScaler; this is all handled for you behind the scenes.
Performance
So far, the Galaxy S25 shares a lot with its predecessor, but where we see a significant step forward is in the processor department. The S25 series features the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy CPU – the first Galaxy range to include this ‘Elite’-branded chipset – and benefits tremendously from the improved processing power it brings. Multitasking workloads are easily handled, games run with reduced lag, and the experience is overall a step above what has come before.
The display on the Galaxy S25 also gets a boost thanks to this CPU. It’s capable of producing more lifelike lighting in games – up to a 40% improvement – due to improved ray tracing capabilities, resulting in visuals that look considerably more realistic.
Software & features
Returning to the topic of AI, this is where the Galaxy S25 really shines the brightest. Whether you’re after a recipe for a meal or want to plan your day, you can ask your S25 for help and it’ll do so with incredible speed. On top of that, this phone can also learn your routines and suggest ways to make life easier, such as when you most commonly use your hotspot. The aim is to cut out unnecessary steps for your daily tasks, and the Galaxy S25 does this quickly and intelligently.
For sheer ease-of-use, the S25 is far and above any Samsung phone before it. Add Android 15 support and the debut of the Now Bar into the mix, which presents information that’s important to you like sport scores, and you have a smartphone that’s consistently a joy to use.
Camera
On the surface, the Galaxy S25’s camera capabilities look remarkably similar to the S24 and S24 Plus, but there’s more going on here than meets the eye. This is largely due to the Next Gen ProVisual engine, which significantly improves skin tones, colours and textures. The best thing about this feature is how it handles these adjustments in the background, without you needing to put the work in. As a result, anyone can benefit from the Next Gen ProVisual engine, even if you’re inexperienced at photo editing.
Even though the Galaxy S25 doesn’t come with any noticeable updates to camera hardware, the beauty of the images they can produce makes them still worthy of note. You’re getting a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 10MP telephoto camera, and a 12MP front selfie camera. Not only is this hardware impressive in terms of pixel density and clarity, but the versatility of options available means you can shoot a wide range of photos, even in low-light conditions.
If you enjoy filming videos, the Galaxy S25 is a powerhouse on this front, too. Additions to the S25 include the AI Audio Eraser feature for cutting out background noise, and support for LOG videos. That last feature is particularly impressive, as LOG videos can be edited far more precisely and granularly than the standard file format. Seeing this on an entry-level handset should be applauded, especially if you like to go all-in on editing your footage.
Battery
We were impressed by the battery on the Galaxy S24, and the S25 follows suit with the same excellent 4,000mAh unit. This battery is capable of lasting most of the day before needing a recharge, making the S25 a very reliable companion for those that commute regularly.
When it comes to charging, the S25 also supports Samsung’s Super-Fast Charging technology, as well as Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 if you have a charging pad to hand.
Summary
Intelligence is the name of the game when reviewing the Samsung Galaxy S25. The improvements to hardware and software are all there, yet it’s the advancements in Galaxy AI that steal the show. Smartphones have always been about making life easier, and with the S25, that selling point is all the more clear.
Picking up the Galaxy S25 doesn’t have to come with the stress of moving data around. Our expert guide can help you start using your new handset as soon as possible.